Compact radio frequency combiner

Abstract

Systems and Techniques are provided for a radio frequency input/output (RFIO) circuit. An example RFIO circuit can include an a receive (Rx) path comprising a low noise amplifier (LNA). The example RFIO circuit can include a transmit (Tx) path comprising a power amplifier (PA). The example RFIO circuit can include a balun configured to RF couple an RFIO terminal to the Rx path or to the Tx path. The one or more selection components are configured to selectively enable the Rx path or the Tx path.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A radio frequency input/output (RFIO) circuit comprising:
 a receive (Rx) path comprising a low noise amplifier (LNA);   a transmit (Tx) path comprising a power amplifier (PA);   a balun configured to RF couple an RFIO terminal to the Rx path or to the Tx path; and   one or more selection components configured to selectively enable the Rx path or the Tx path.   
     
     
         2 . The RFIO circuit of  claim 1 , wherein the balun comprises a first turn connected to the RFIO terminal, a second turn connected to the Rx path, and a third turn connected to the Tx path. 
     
     
         3 . The RFIO circuit of  claim 1 , wherein the balun comprises a first inductor coupled to the RFIO terminal, a second inductor connected to the Rx path, and a third inductor connected to the Tx path. 
     
     
         4 . The RFIO circuit of  claim 3 , wherein the first inductor is further connected to an RFIO mode control terminal configured to receive mode control signals, wherein the second inductor is center-tapped to a power supply path, and wherein the third inductor is center-tapped to ground. 
     
     
         5 . The RFIO circuit of  claim 4 , wherein the power supply path comprises a VCC terminal coupled to a switch that is in series with a resistor. 
     
     
         6 . The RFIO circuit of  claim 5 , wherein one or more selection components are configured transfer power to the PA when operating in a Tx mode and to transfer power to the LNA when operating in an Rx mode. 
     
     
         7 . The RFIO circuit of  claim 4 , wherein the first inductor is further coupled to ground and a third capacitor, and wherein the RFIO circuit comprises a tunable matching network. 
     
     
         8 . The RFIO circuit of  claim 1 , wherein the Rx path and the Tx path are configured to operate at different frequencies. 
     
     
         9 . The RFIO circuit of  claim 1 , wherein the LNA comprises a differential LNA, and wherein the PA comprises a pseudo-differential PA. 
     
     
         10 . The RFIO circuit of  claim 1 , wherein the RFIO circuit comprises at least a portion of a frontend circuit of a phased array antenna. 
     
     
         11 . The RFIO circuit of  claim 1 , wherein the RFIO circuit comprises a one input, four output wideband matching network. 
     
     
         12 . The RFIO circuit of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more selection components comprises one or more switches, and wherein the one or more switches are configured to selectively disable the Rx path or the Tx path, wherein the one or more switches are in parallel to the Rx path or the Tx path. 
     
     
         13 . A system comprising:
 a plurality of antenna elements; and   a frontend circuit communicatively coupled with the plurality of antenna elements, wherein the frontend circuit comprises an RFIO circuit, the RFIO circuit comprising:   a Rx path comprising a LNA;   a Tx path comprising a PA;   a balun configured to RF couple an RFIO terminal to the Rx path or to the Tx path; and   one or more selection components configured to selectively enable the Rx path or the Tx path.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the balun comprises a first turn connected to the RFIO terminal, a second turn connected to the Rx path, and a third turn coupled to the Tx path. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the balun comprises a first inductor coupled to the RFIO terminal, a second inductor connected to the Rx path, and a third inductor connected to the Tx path. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the first inductor is further coupled to an RFIO mode control terminal configured to receive mode control signals, wherein the second inductor is center-tapped to a power supply path, and wherein the third inductor is center-tapped to ground. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the power supply path comprises a VCC terminal coupled to a switch that is in series with a resistor. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the first inductor is further coupled to ground and a third capacitor, and wherein the RFIO circuit comprises a tunable matching network. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more selection components are configured to transfer power to the PA when operating in a Tx mode and to transfer power to the LNA when operating an Rx mode. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the Rx path and the Tx path are configured to operate at different frequencies. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the LNA comprises a differential LNA, and wherein the PA comprises a pseudo-differential PA.